Chapter 714: Playing Mind Games |
Was Luo Zhao a fool? His commanders exchanged glances. They didn't think Luo Zhao was a fool; it was simply that he had encountered Meng Shan Ming. Considering the circumstances, who could have imagined that Meng Shan Ming would still manage to crush his opponents? And shatter their defensive forces.
These two individuals didn't think Luo Zhao was a fool. From one perspective, it could even be said that he performed quite well.
These two also thought that Jin Jue, by making no mistakes, was as foolish as Luo Zhao, precisely because he took no risks whatsoever.
The moment the two men exited the tent, they couldn't help but exchange glances. Then, they shook their heads bitterly. Truly, there was nothing to be done about this advisor. He withstood the pressure from the three sects and the Imperial Court, but why did he have to chastise the people of the Song Kingdom? All the conditions were met, yet in the end, this advisor refused to deploy his troops!
If he didn't want to deploy the troops, fine; he should simply admit his incompetence and yield his position to others. Others would lead the army. Perhaps the Imperial Court would replace him then.
However, replacing such a man now was not something the Imperial Court could easily do. It would be difficult. To some extent, it could be said that many within the court, those with a hearty appetite, did not particularly wish to replace this military advisor. For a cautious advisor who was unwilling to deploy troops suited them perfectly.
If he was afraid to take responsibility, he should make way for others. Others would bear the responsibility.
The main point, however, was that a moment like this, rarely encountered in ordinary times, now presented itself before them. They gazed upon the Yan Kingdom, a tempting morsel ripe for the taking, yet they could not go forth and seize it. This man held them back. Thus, the command staff disliked the general.
Even these commanders were displeased by the general's excessive caution. He denied them the opportunity to ascend to the position of military advisor.
Luo Zhao had repeatedly shown cunning, wishing to trap Shang Chao Zong and annihilate that detestable one hundred thousand strong cavalry. However, Shang Chao Zong was no easy mark either. He simply wouldn't fall for Luo Zhao's lures. "Lure as much as you like, but I will strike what I need to strike." Which gave Luo Zhao a headache.
Furthermore, the Yan Kingdom's forces were raging and wreaking havoc within the Song Kingdom. Large forces occasionally delivered powerful blows to Song Kingdom cities. This terrified him.
General Cheng Shao Tong of the Song Kingdom gathered four hundred thousand soldiers to meet the Yan Kingdom's forces in battle. They were meant to buy time for Luo Zhao's army to return.
From the outset, Cheng Shao Tong's forces had been slowly advancing towards the Yan Kingdom's army, but then they suddenly accelerated their pace towards the Yan Kingdom's army.
This aroused the vigilance of the Yan Kingdom's forces. As a result, the dispersed Yan Kingdom troops began to gather.
Inside the commander-in-chief's tent, the vassal princes of the Yan Kingdom gathered for a meeting.
"The Song Kingdom, including its three vassal princes, possesses six million soldiers. Three million have attacked our Yan Kingdom. Two million guard the border. Another million stand guard on the Han Kingdom border. It can be said that there’s no resistance left within the Song Kingdom itself. Cheng Shao Tong leads four hundred thousand men. They’ve gathered a disorganized rabble from every province!"
"Everyone knows this. The question is, from the very beginning, he advanced leisurely towards me. Clearly, he understood he was no match for me. But what does his sudden acceleration signify?"
"Perhaps the Song Kingdom’s Imperial Court felt the pressure and is now forced to urge him to try and stop us."
"Cheng Shao Tong is not skilled in battle; he only rose to his current position by relying on his father-in-law, Zi Ping Xu. But it’s not to say he’s utterly useless. If Zi Ping Xu hadn't seen something in him, he wouldn't have given him his daughter in marriage. Therefore, he cannot be unaware of the consequences of battle. Why would he send himself to his death so hastily? What, then?"
The generals deliberated. Meng Shan Ming, seated in his wheelchair, seemed to be listening and yet not listening to them. He held a tablet containing information about Cheng Shao Tong. His history, his service record, how many men he commanded, and other details.
They deliberated much concerning Cheng Shao Tong, but nothing substantial was decided. Even Meng Shan Ming couldn't discern his intentions.
Ultimately, Meng Shan Ming gathered all his forces, preparing for a serious battle. Several princes prepared traps for the enemy. Just in case. Lest the enemy stumble into their traps by venturing deep into their formations.
After determining their strategy, the princes returned to their respective camps. They were transported by spirit birds.
The following days were spent in preparation. And the two armies drew closer and closer to one another. The atmosphere grew tense. Especially when the two armies finally faced each other.
In the end, Cheng Shao Tong, leading four hundred thousand soldiers, seemingly oblivious to any trap, advanced deep into the enemy's ranks. Thus, he fell straight into the Yan Kingdom's forces' lure. But when the Yan Kingdom's forces surrounded him, he utterly surprised them.
Surrounded by the enemy, Cheng Shao Tong established his camp and did nothing. He simply waited for the attacks to come from all sides.
Inside Meng Shan Ming's commander-in-chief tent, he sat before a map, his brows furrowed. Cheng Shao Tong's actions had exceeded his expectations.
Based on his understanding of Cheng Shao Tong, he was certainly not someone utterly ignorant of military affairs. No matter what, he should have detected the pocket formation of the Yan Kingdom's forces. How did this happen?
Or was Cheng Shao Tong bluffing, intending to intimidate the Yan Kingdom's forces this way?
Zhang Hu, standing nearby, spoke, "What is this Cheng Shao Tong doing? Such a massive army surrounds him. It’s impossible for him not to suspect this trap. Could it be that he wants to intimidate us? To call our bluff and stall for time like this?”
Meng Shan Ming slowly replied, "As you said, Zi Ping Xu wouldn’t choose a weak reed for his daughter. Zi Ping Xu’s son-in-law has entered the battle. And if he loses, it will reflect poorly on Zi Ping Xu. It doesn't seem like he intends to intimidate us. There’s something else at play here.”
Su Qi Tong said, "Commander-in-Chief, are we to be so easily spooked by him? If things drag on like this, Luo Zhao will soon return. There will be little to hold him back. We must discover what Cheng Shao Tong is relying on. If we don’t destroy him now, then when Luo Zhao crosses the river, we will be attacked from two sides.”
Meng Shan Ming pointed to a spot on the map: "Bulao Mountain. Cheng Shao Tong seems to be hiding something there.”
Zhang Hu nodded and said, "Bulao Mountain’s perimeter isn’t large. Even four hundred thousand soldiers wouldn’t fit there. And there are no water sources in the mountains, nor much vegetation to launch fire or water attacks against us. The surrounding area isn't vast. So there's nothing to fear. However, looking at him, one gets the feeling that he has something prepared there.”
Meng Shan Ming slightly shook his head: "In this terrain, if our vast army were to attack, no stronghold before us would withstand it. Such terrain would be difficult for him to defend.”
Su Qi Tong, pointing at the map, said, "Around the mountain, generally speaking, he might try to lure us into these mountains. But could he possibly launch fire or water attacks from within the mountains? Even if he could somehow procure such means, it still wouldn’t defeat us.”
Zhang Hu asked, "It's truly easy to get out of these mountains. What talk can there be of fire or water attacks?”
Gong Ling Ze stood nearby, watching them all discuss. He noticed how Cheng Shao Tong had put them in a deadlock; they couldn’t understand him.
After a long discussion, Su Qi Tong finally said, "Commander-in-Chief, no matter what he intends, we still need to probe him. Then we'll find out what he's planning. Surely, we won’t just stand here indefinitely?! I can lead a detachment to probe him.”
Meng Shan Ming pondered for a long time, then finally nodded: "That’s true enough!”
With that, he waved his hand: "Don’t rush. First, prepare everything. I will personally go and see what is there. Then we’ll decide.”
At Bulao Mountain, Cheng Shao Tong’s tent was located at the mountain’s peak. From there, one could see for a great distance.
Around the mountain, massive armies constantly patrolled the roads. And in the mountains, lights could be seen, soldiers preparing food.
After conducting his inspection, Cheng Shao Tong returned to the commander-in-chief’s tent with a group of men. Then he said: "Observe the situation outside carefully. If you notice anything unusual, report it immediately. Otherwise, do not be surprised by my ruthlessness!”
"Understood!” The commanders clasped their hands.
Then one commander asked: "General, we are acting this way, but the Yan Kingdom’s forces don’t understand us. What if they simply ignore us and go their own way?”
Cheng Shao Tong waved his hand: "Matters have reached this point already. It’s clear that Meng Shan Ming wants to defeat our Song Kingdom, then sit down for peace negotiations. And together, oppose the Han Kingdom. Therefore, he will need to return to the river and block our army’s path. And for that, he will need to deal with us. Otherwise, while guarding the riverbank, the Yan Kingdom’s forces would constantly fear our sudden attack. Currently, the Yan Kingdom’s forces aren’t moving because they don’t understand what we’re planning. But they clearly have no intention of leaving us be.”
Another commander asked: "Then for how long can we continue to act this way?”
Cheng Shao Tong coldly sneered: "I chose this location, and I have long since prepared everything. I am not in a hurry, but Meng Shan Ming is. The Yan Kingdom’s forces are currently hesitant to attack me. They don’t know how strong we are or what we have prepared. We will wait. It won’t be long before the Yan Kingdom’s forces send probing detachments to attack us. And Meng Shan Ming is not the kind of man to strike blindly. Not knowing the situation, he will proceed cautiously. This is a flaw of intelligent men. Therefore, when he probes us, it’s possible he will personally come to test us. Gentlemen, do you know what that means?”
Everyone exchanged glances.
Cheng Shao Tong pounded his fist on the table: "We are not acting now, but when we do, we must act decisively. If the chance arises, everyone must exert their utmost effort. Perhaps in this battle, we can kill Meng Shan Ming! Meng Shan Ming has caused the demise of six hundred thousand of our soldiers. He is a great criminal against our Song Kingdom. If we can kill him, it will be an immense reward for us within the Song Kingdom! Then, panic will erupt among the Yan Kingdom’s forces. For they will have lost their head! That is why I am guarding this place tightly. I am luring Meng Shan Ming!”
Everyone listened to him, and they were ecstatic.
Everyone understood who stood behind Cheng Shao Tong. And they understood how the Imperial Court would reward them should the battle prove successful.